Arc'teryx  Zeta SL Rain Jacket - Men's

I bought this item after trying out many rain jackets and doing extensive research. The look and fit of the jacket are great. Loved the lightweight fabric and extra length. The waterproofing seemed fine, but without pit-zips, the inside of the jacket was so wet with sweat after a couple of miles, I felt like I was getting rained on anyway. This was while wearing two thin, wicking hiking shirts in upper-40 degree temps in a moderate rain. I imagine it would be even more so with warmer layers on or in warmer weather. Maybe I just sweat more than the other reviewers. I expected more for the price. I am going to return and go back to the cheaper NF Venture 2.

I wanted to build a modular system last year for fluctuating Chicago winter temps. I have the base layers and 850 down jackets, just needed a weatherproof shell. I tried Torrentshell, REI XeroDry GTX, Beta AR, and Outdoor Research Interstellar and Foray. The Interstaller and Beta AR were the only real contenders. In the end, I liked the trimmer fit for my 6’2” 200lb frame vs the Beta AR dadbod fit (I can easily fit the LT hoodie or a couple layers under). And it has considerably more thickness than the Interstellar without many more ounces. I’ve gone running in torrential downpours that wet out another jacket first, used in -50 windchill and snow commutes, and carried chopped wood and flailing puppies without so much as a scratch.

The Good: Loved how effective this jacket was on rainy backpacking/hiking trips. Definitely kept me very dry and was comfortable next to skin for warmer wet hikes. The Bad: The hood fastening system was not for me. With only one major halo type cinch I didn't feel like there was enough control over the shape of the hood. You could not adjust the visor front down, the system tends to pull the sides back. The Ugly: The pocket seals detached from the coat fabric after what I'd describe as pretty modest use. It's possible the waterproofing isn't conducing to packing/folding, but I was relatively surprised when it came apart. Not sure if this is a systemic issue, but definitely not ideal for a pricey jacket. Will need to be replaced.

Picked this jacket up about a month ago in the black color specifically to use for around town and travel. The new paclite does feel nicer next to skin compared to an old paclite jacket I have which is important as I wear it often over just a short sleeve shirt. I've got an Arc'teryx pro-shell jacket I love for skiing, sailing and other more technical pursuits but having the less flashy color in a light and compact package is a great alternative now that it is the rainy season in the PNW and I am using it daily with good result.

I wanted a rain jacket that was a bit lighter that I could stuff into my backpack on the go. This one has all the waterproof benefits of a goretex rain jacket that doesn’t sacrifice on the weight. It literally folds up into the size of a fancy dinner napkin (and I wear a men’s size XL). Also, the new goretex technology doesn’t stick to my skin when I sweat which is a plus:) So far so good on this first Arc’teryx purchase! Thanks REI!

Wore this jacket on and off for a month in the wilderness: San Juan mountains, Isle Royale, Superior Hiking Trail, and a week paddling in the Boundary waters. Very lightweight, breathability was good, never wet through. The biggest issue I had/have is the zipper: I cannot get this zipper started after it is completely unzipped. I struggle with it so much I ended up leaving the bottom few inches zipped and using it like a pullover. I got a little better at it by the end of the month by jiggling the zipper at the start.

I wore it. It rained. I was impervious. I slapped the coat for fun and the raindrops literally *jumped* off of the jacket. It was a moment that I shared with my new jacket friend. Best friends forever!

I have not used it extensively yet, but this jacket has been great so far. The fit (medium) is perfect for my medium build (5'9, 170 lbs) and the blue is handsome and consistent with the photos. The fabric feels nice with just a t-shirt underneath, though I'd never say it's cozy. Movement is free and quiet. Rain resistance is excellent, based on a few wet walks (light to medium rain). Breathability is very good; pit zips would help. That said, it's unbelievably light for how sturdy it feels and I'd consider it for light yard work. I have no doubt it will be excellent in the winter as well.

I loved this jacket enough that I have two of them. Then, the zipper broke and, I assure you, it was not heavy use. Paid $200+ and the newer versions are $600. Not worth it. Loved this brand and now they've jumped the shark

I'm a fan of Arc'teryx and this does not disappoint. It breathes well enough and is fully waterproof. It lacks pit zips if that matters to you. It's a good balance between weight and durability, and has a soft touch. Sizing is a bit unusual, but Arc'teryx is pretty inconsistent for me. My Atom LT is a large, my Cerium is a XL, and this jacket is a medium. For this one I was swimming in the size large but the medium is a pretty good fit. It does have a bit of extra length in the arms and torso which I like.